12 Athletes of Sri Lanka gear up for the World Athletics U20 Championships 2024, joining the total team of 53 athletes in the closely followed South Asian Junior Championships.
The world of athletics has been in full swing since the start of 2024, the Paris Olympics being the most important highlight. Yet, there are many meets taking place all over the world, some of them paving the way for future athletes too; the World Athletics Junior Championships 2024 held in Lima being one such occasion.
Sri Lanka Athletics confirmed that the team will be funded by the government, for they were close to being unable to participate in this meet due to a withdrawal of funds by The Sports Ministry.
With team captain Meron Wijesinghe, (running the 100m and 4×100) this 12-member athletics team will be representing the country, a great step in track and field in Sri Lanka. The team includes one relay team for the Boys’ 4×100.
The team includes Madushani Herath, who won silver in the Triple Jump event, the country’s only individual medal at the Asian Junior Championships in Dubai, held earlier this year.
This athlete from Nannapurawa MV, Bibila, is also the best contender in the girls’ category, winning both the long jump and triple jump at this year’s National Championships. Along with her medal, Sri Lanka won four relay medals at this meet too.
The World Athletics Junior Championships will commence on the 27th of August, till the 31st. The team also includes Jithma Wijethuna (400m), Lesandu Arthavidu (High Jump), Jathya Kirulu (400m), Sandun Kosala (110m Hurdles), Tharusha Mendis (High Jump), Ayomal Akalanka (400m Hurdles), Vidusara Indushan (200m & 4X100m), Kaushal Thamel (200m & 4X100m), Dineth Weeraratne (100m & 4x100m) and Ayesh Mihiranga (4x100m).
Straight after this, the athletes will be heading to Chennai, joined by more junior athletes for a total of 53 participants for the South Asian Junior Championships. This team is the biggest team the governing body has had for a World Junior Championship. The team also includes four relay teams (4×100 and 4×400), with the runners participating in this alongside their events.
The uncertainty of the athletes being able to participate in this meet sheds light upon the numerous challenges they face, who endure much difficulty and lack of support while working hard to get to the levels they are at. We must support them in how we can. The 53 athletes heading to Chennai, a significant number for Sri Lanka, bring out the potential of our young athletes that must be nurtured to lead them to bigger and better stages.
